15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

If you love vibrant summer flavors, this 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto is about to become your new fast favorite. It comes together in a snap, capturing the zippy, garlicky brightness of fresh scapes blended with nutty Parmesan and creamy pine nuts—truly a celebration of the season in green!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Ready in 15 Minutes: Impressively quick—your pesto is prepped, blitzed, and ready to eat in the time it takes to boil pasta!
  • Incredible Seasonal Flavor: Garlic scapes add a fresh zing that you just can’t get from regular garlic or herbs.
  • Versatile & Freezer-Friendly: This pesto works magic on pasta, sandwiches, roasted veggies, and saves beautifully for later.
  • Customizable Ingredients: Swapping nuts or cheese is easy—tailor it to your pantry or dietary needs!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto is how a handful of simple, top-quality ingredients work together to create a big burst of flavor. Each has its own special role in color, creaminess, and taste—here’s a peek at what makes this pesto shine.

  • Garlic Scapes: The curly, green stems from garlic plants add a gentle garlicky kick and gorgeous color.
  • Pine Nuts: Their buttery richness gives the pesto that classic creamy texture—feel free to swap for toasted walnuts if desired!
  • Parmesan Cheese: Nutty, salty, and savory—Parmesan (or Asiago) gives this pesto its unmistakable depth. Opt for vegetarian Parm if needed.
  • Lemon Juice: Just a squeeze brings brightness and a hint of sharpness that balances the pesto’s richness.
  • Fine Sea Salt & Black Pepper: A pinch of each elevates and harmonizes the flavors.
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Essential for that signature creamy pesto finish—use the good stuff if you can!
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Making this pesto is wonderfully adaptable! You can tweak ingredients for dietary needs or simply to match what you have at home. Here are a few favorite variations to keep things fresh and fun each time you make a batch.

  • Walnut or Almond Pesto: Swap expensive pine nuts for toasted walnuts or almonds for a different but delicious nutty finish.
  • Dairy-Free: Replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or your favorite vegan hard cheese for a plant-based twist.
  • Lemon Zest Addition: Try adding a little grated lemon zest for even more citrusy lift and aroma.
  • Spicy Kick: Blend in a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like your pesto with a touch of heat.

How to Make 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

Step 1: Trim the Garlic Scapes

Start by grabbing your bundle of fresh garlic scapes and trimming just below the bulb. If the bottom of the stem is woody—think tough like asparagus ends—snip that off too. You’ll be left with the tender, curly part, which is exactly what you want for the brightest, sweetest flavor.

Step 2: Load Up the Food Processor

Arrange your trimmed scapes in your food processor bowl, wrapping them around the center blade. Add pine nuts (or your substitute), Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. This staggered layering helps your processor break everything down evenly for a luscious pesto texture.

Step 3: Pulse and Scrape

Pulse the mixture, stopping occasionally to scrape down the bowl with a flexible spatula. You’ll see the ingredients begin to transform into a rough, bright green paste—that’s your cue it’s nearly ready for the olive oil!

Step 4: Stream in the Olive Oil

With the processor running, pour the extra virgin olive oil in a slow, steady stream. Watch as everything turns gloriously creamy and emulsified—within about a minute, your 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto will be thick and ready to scoop!

Step 5: Taste, Store & Serve

Pause to taste for salt and lemon, adjusting as needed. Scoop the pesto into a lidded jar or airtight container. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to a week, or you can freeze cubes for longer storage so you always have a burst of summer on hand!

Pro Tips for Making 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

  • Scape Freshness Matters: The younger and more tender your garlic scapes, the sweeter and more vibrant your pesto will taste.
  • Toasting Nuts for More Flavor: Lightly toast your pine nuts (or walnuts) beforehand for a deeper, richer nutty note—just a few minutes in a dry pan does wonders.
  • Slow Oil Addition is Key: Drizzling in olive oil while the processor runs creates the smoothest, most luxurious pesto texture.
  • Taste & Adjust: Don’t be shy with the lemon or salt—garlic scape pesto loves a final pop of acidity or seasoning just before serving!

How to Serve 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto

15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of extra Parmesan and a swirl of olive oil right before serving to make each dollop of 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto shine. A pinch of lemon zest or toasted pine nuts in your finished dish will elevate both the look and flavor for a beautiful presentation.

Side Dishes

This pesto is endlessly versatile—toss it with your favorite pasta, spoon it over grilled chicken or fish, or drizzle it atop roasted veggies. It’s outstanding on a simple crostini or even dolloped on a grain bowl for extra brightness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful twist, layer garlic scape pesto into savory yogurt parfaits, serve it as a vibrant green swirl on hummus party platters, or use it as a “pesto drizzle” for pizza, omelets, or salads. Even a small jar tied with twine makes a lovely, edible summer gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto will keep happily in the fridge for up to a week. Just tuck it into a lidded jar or tightly-sealed container; a thin layer of olive oil on top helps keep the color vivid and flavors fresh.

Freezing

For long-term storage, freeze pesto in small jars or spoon it into ice cube trays. Once frozen, pop out the cubes and stash them in a freezer bag—super easy to grab exactly what you need for sauces, soups, or a quick pasta upgrade any time of year.

Reheating

Thaw frozen pesto cubes in the fridge overnight or gently at room temperature. Avoid microwaving, as it can dull the flavors—just stir well and add to warm dishes right before serving for best results.

FAQs

  1. Can I use mature garlic scapes, or do they need to be very young?

    You can use either, but younger, more tender garlic scapes will blend up smoother and offer a milder, slightly sweeter take on the classic pesto flavor. Mature scapes are fine, just trim away any extra tough bits for best texture.

  2. Is there a good substitute for pine nuts in 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto?

    Absolutely—walnuts, almonds, or even sunflower seeds make wonderful, budget-friendly alternatives to pine nuts and put their own spin on the pesto’s flavor.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegan?

    Yes! Swap the Parmesan for nutritional yeast or a favorite vegan hard cheese to keep things dairy-free. The rest of the ingredients are naturally plant-based and just as delicious.

  4. How long does 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto last in the fridge?

    This pesto keeps well for about a week in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. To help preserve its bright green color, pour a thin layer of olive oil over the top before sealing.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried homemade pesto with garlic scapes, I hope you’ll let this 15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto surprise you with its color, zing, and incredible versatility. It’s the perfect quick way to capture summer flavors—give it a whirl, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new seasonal staple!

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

15-Minute Garlic Scape Pesto Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 82 reviews
  • Author: Nora
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 1 cup 1x
  • Category: Sauce
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A quick and easy recipe for delicious garlic scape pesto that can be whipped up in just 15 minutes. This vibrant and flavorful pesto is perfect for tossing with pasta, spreading on sandwiches, or using as a dip.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Garlic Scape Pesto:

  • 10 Garlic Scapes (about 154g)
  • 1/3 cup Pine Nuts (44g)
  • 1/3 cup Parmesan Asiago or Parmesan (38g)
  • 1/2 Lemon, juiced
  • 1/8 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • A few grinds of Pepper
  • 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (70g)

Instructions

  1. Trim the garlic scapes: Cut just below the bulb and trim any woody ends. Discard the bulb and end of stem, then set aside the remaining scape.
  2. Prepare the pesto: In a food processor, combine scapes, pine nuts, cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until broken down. Scrape down the bowl.
  3. Add olive oil: With the processor running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Process until well combined, about 1 minute.
  4. Store: Keep the pesto in a covered container in the fridge for up to a week. Alternatively, freeze in a jar or ice-cube tray for longer storage.

Notes

  • Consider using toasted walnuts as a substitute for pine nuts to reduce cost.
  • Choose vegetarian-friendly Parmesan cheese for this recipe, such as BelGioioso, Organic Valley, or Stella brands.
  • Recipe adapted from Epicurious.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
  • Calories: 79 kcal
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 78mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 1g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 3mg

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star